...wreckage spotted. No word on the five crew members, so far....
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/07/12298122 ... -san-diego
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter — the largest helicopter in the military, designed to fly in harsh conditions —
had gone missing as an historic storm dumped heavy snow and record rain over California.
Civilian authorities searching on ground and by air
located the aircraft just after 9 a.m. near the mountain community of Pine Valley,
about a 45-mile drive from San Diego,
but rescue crews said snowy conditions were making access challenging on the ground, officials said.
https://www.latimes.com/california/stor ... california
Overnight, visibility in the area was poor because of snow, rain and gusty winds,
according to meteorologist Philip Gonsalves with the National Weather Service in San Diego.
Those conditions would have been in play for most of the night and into the morning, Gonsalves said.
“Those conditions are still going to be bad right now,” he added.
The helicopter was initially reported missing north of Interstate 8, southeast of Pine Valley,
a remote mountain community.
The terrain where firefighters were instructed to search was covered in snow,
making it difficult for them to continue on foot, according to Cal Fire.
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